Robots to the Rescue: ImPACT Tough Robotics Challenge Autumn 2017

The latest ImPACT Tough Robotics Challenge public demonstration featured practical applications, with fire fighters taking part and more integrated robots capable of complex tasks.

The Construction Robot’s attached drone can now hover autonomously, using an estimation of its tether shape to stay in one place even without GPS signal.Credit : Tohoku University

Tohoku University hosted the autumn installment of the 2017 ImPACT Tough Robotics Challenge public demonstration at Aobayama Campus on November 10.

The focus this time was on practical applications, with active duty fire fighters taking part. There were also more integrated robots capable of increasingly complex and sophisticated tasks.

“I had expected to see development on individual, state-of-the art components, but this is way beyond that,” said Professor Robin R. Murphy, director of the Center for Robot-Assisted Search and Rescue, and the Center for Emergency Informatics at Texas A&M University. “The commitment to building systems that would really and truly work in the field is impressive, as is how realistic and ready-to-use many of these robots already are.”

New cyber enhanced canine suits are fitted with a camera, IMU-GPS and an electrocardiography device to estimate the dog’s emotional state from its heart rate variation and acceleration.Credit : Tohoku University

Earlier this year, Tohoku University Professor Satoshi Tadokoro, who is also the program manager of the ImPACT-TRC, unveiled a version of his Active Scope Camera robot that included the ability to levitate its camera-fitted head to get around obstacles.

The ASC is now a fully integrated system featuring multi-modal sensing. This allows it to automatically find the victims’ trails, hear the victims’ voices under noise, and perform 3D mapping and localisation in a confined space. A new 2-DoF air-jet nozzle also offers greater control of the floating head motion and camera stability.

The 8 meter long serpentine robot moves through the vibration of its short brush-like hairs, and is most effective penetrating small gaps in rubble. According to Professor Masashi Konyo, who works with Tadokoro, a new remote auto-insertion system is expected to enhance the remote controllability and autonomy.

The cyber enhanced canines have new, upgraded suits. In addition to having a camera and IMU-GPS unit – which enables the dogs to be monitored even in remote places – each cyber-enhanced suit is now also equipped with an electrocardiography device to estimate the dog’s emotional state from its heart rate variation and acceleration.

“The dogs are most effective in a rescue if they feel good and are highly motivated to find the victims,” said Professor Kazunori Ohno, whose team at Tohoku University is developing the vests. “Like humans, dogs can get tired or stressed or affected by their surroundings. When that happens, their ability level drops. By measuring the dogs’ heart rate variation and acceleration, we can monitor their physical and emotional condition, and decide whether it is better to continue the search or take a break.”

The Active Scope Camera robot is a fully integrated system featuring multi-modal sensing. It can find the victims’ trails, hear voices under noise, and perform 3D mapping and localisation in a confined space.Credit : Tohoku University

There are upgrades too, to the Construction Robot, built to remove heavy debris, and perform high risk construction on steep slopes and irregular terrain. Tohoku University’s Keiji Nagatani’s lab works on the attached drone, which gives the robot its enhanced aerial vision. In this latest version, the tethered drone has a capability to hover autonomously.

“A typical drone can stay in one place with GPS information without an operator’s control,” said Nagatani. “However, when there are steep cliffs or large trees nearby, the GPS signal becomes weak and unreliable. Our drone now uses an estimation of its tether shape, and can stay in one place autonomously without GPS information. This is exciting new technology for tethered drones.”

Other robots featured in the demonstration included a thick serpentine robot, which can climb pipes, vents and ladders without getting entangled.

And the Legged Robot, which has an omni-hand newly developed by Tohoku University’s Professor Kenjiro Tadakuma. It can handle gadgets and open very tight valves regardless of shape and weight.

The Tough Robotics Challenge is part of the Japanese government’s “Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program” (ImPACT) aimed at developing remote autonomous robots tough enough to support humans in hostile disaster environments.

Murphy, who is also a computer science and engineering professor at Texas A&M University, credits Tadokoro’s vision for the success of the ImPACT-TRC, which wraps up in 2018. “Satoshi and I have known each other for a very long time and we’ve both had the idea that robots could and should be used in disaster situations.

“I’m really impressed that he’s been able to make the vision happen by bringing such a talented group of researchers and industry players together, working directly with users and emergency responders to make a real difference.”

Aims of RevoScience

Research in basic science and technology in our country is far behind in comparison to our neighboring countries. This is the time to think what we can do. The magazine will act as a platform for us where we can come together to make proposals, plans and interact with each other. Such interaction will expand our horizon to develop nation and ourselves.

At first glance, this image may resemble red ink filtering through water or a crackling stream of electricity, but it is actually a unique view of our cosmic home. It... The post Our galaxy’s heart appeared first on RevoScience.

Low rises on the ocean floor at a depth of 5,500 meters in the western North Pacific regulate surface flows and create sharp sea surface temperature (SST) fronts, which have... The post The far-reaching effects of ocean floors on the sea surface appeared first on RevoScience.

State-level policy in the U.S. is responsive to public opinion, study shows. CAMBRIDGE, MA — In politics, your voices make a difference. At least at the state level of U.S.... The post People power appeared first on RevoScience.

Supersonic gas streams left over from the Big Bang likely gave rise to early massive black holes. The mechanisms that drive black hole formation and growth are poorly understood. An... The post Unravelling the mystery of black hole formation appeared first on RevoScience.